Sr. Manager, Retail Architecture

Overview
This hybrid position will be located at our Corporate Office in New York. Expectations for hybrid in-office schedule is three days a week, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

The Senior Manager, Retail Architecture (Store Design) leads the design execution and delivery of retail environments across North America, overseeing all phases of the project lifecycle from concept to store opening. This role manages multiple brand design initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, brand standards, timelines, and budgets. The Senior Project Manager acts as a key liaison between internal stakeholders, external consultants, and cross-functional partners to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and brand-elevating retail experiences.

Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Delivery

• Oversee the full design and documentation lifecycle from Real Estate Committee approval through store opening.
• Manage and deliver site-specific construction drawing packages and technical documentation in alignment with brand design intent and operational requirements.
• Lead and coordinate all phases of project execution including preliminary design, check sets, construction documents, and permitting deliverables.
• Ensure all deliverables meet schedule, budget, and quality standards, proactively identifying risks and implementing corrective actions.

Design Excellence & Brand Stewardship

• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for brand design standards, communicating updates, and maintaining architectural standards.
• Develop space layouts, elevations, and fixture plans that reflect brand identity, optimize space, and adhere to codes, lease constraints, and operational needs.
• Ensure design consistency, technical accuracy, and code compliance across all drawing sets and consultant deliverables.
• Partner with Brand Divisions, Visual Merchandising, Operations, and Construction to ensure store layouts, finishes, and fixtures align with business objectives and brand expectations.
• Provide design solutions and value engineering recommendations to maintain aesthetic integrity while achieving cost efficiencies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Real Estate, Pre-Construction, Construction, Procurement, Space Optimization, and Operations teams to align scope, budgets, and schedules.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Construction & Pre-Construction Project Managers regarding scope, field issues, clarifications, change orders, and site modifications.
• Coordinate with external architectural firms, engineers, and vendors to ensure deliverables meet company standards and project timelines.
• Review and qualify MEP documents for alignment with project and design requirements.
• Negotiate directly with landlords and developers on design-related issues, signage, and storefront approvals as needed.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor Pre-Construction and Construction project managers, architectural staff, providing guidance on best practices, detailing, and project execution.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the retail architecture function.
• Support leadership on strategic design initiatives, fixture innovation, material exploration, and prototype development.

Quality, Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure building department and landlord comments are addressed promptly in accordance with internal review cycles.
• Maintain organized project documentation, drawing logs, and updates through Smartsheet and shared systems.
• Drive adherence to reinvestment strategies for new stores, remodels, rebrands, and refresh programs.
• Champion cost efficiency through proactive design reviews, scope validation, and inventory material utilization.

Required Competencies

• Ownership and accountability in delivering results.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking with high attention to technical and design detail.
• Effective problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
• Agility to adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Ability to build trust, influence cross-functional partners, and manage external resources.
• Commitment to quality, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture or interior design required.
• Minimum 6 - 8 years of experience in retail architecture, design management, or store development.
• Proven experience in managing multi-site retail rollout programs or brand prototype development.
• High proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite; familiarity with Revit a plus.
• Strong understanding of construction detailing, MEP coordination, building codes, and retail operations.
• Skilled in project management tools such as Smartsheet or equivalent.
• Strong design and technical acumen, with the ability to produce and critique drawings and 3D visualizations.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines across multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and manage external design partners.
• Licensure in Architecture or NCIDQ certification preferred but not required.

Core Attributes

• Strategic yet hands-on leader.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and result- driven solutions.
• Passionate about elevating the customer experience through thoughtful design.

Benefits
The annual base salary range is $ $100000 / year. This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the salary for this position. This role is also eligible to receive short term incentives that align with individual and company performance. Salary will be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Salary is one component of the Foot Locker, Inc. total compensation package, which includes the below.

Foot Locker Benefits

• Employee Discount
• Paid Time Off
• Medical | Dental | Vision Coverage
• 401(k) | Roth 401(k)
• Stock Purchase Plan
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Opportunities for Advancement
• Tuition Reimbursement for Qualified Courses
• Strong Company Culture
• Employee Resource Groups